EASTERN DRC NOTES - MAY 8

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000456

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - MAY 8


1. (U) The items contained in this report consist principally of
spot information from various sources. This report is not
exhaustive, nor can all the information contained therein be
confirmed at this time.

Security Situation
--------------


2. (SBU) FARDC troops rescued four Congolese citizens from the LRA
after a short skirmish in Ndanda, just south of Dungu.


3. (SBU) MONUC and FARDC sources state they have established
control of the area around Poto Poto and Tchey in Ituri following a
three-phase campaign against armed groups in the area. A MONUC
commander said the rebel group FRPI was likely responsible for the
retaliation killing of three girls and one woman in Maga, just south
of Aveba (Comment: Continued clashes in Ituri in recent weeks are a
consequence of an incomplete disarmament and integration process in
the region. Similar risks exist in the context of the incomplete
disarmament and integration process in the Kivus. End comment).


4. (SBU) Ex-CNDP fighters (now in a newly integrated FARDC
battalion) have set up roadblocks in several places around Masisi,
claiming that money collected from travelers will go to wounded CNDP
comrades. MONUC sent out a large patrol on May 7 to dismantle a
roadblock near Kirolirwe. The ex-CNDP fighters claimed that
Governor Paluku had given them permission to tax travelers during
his recent visit to the area.


5. (SBU) FARDC troops were ambushed near Kilembie (near Masisi) by
armed men (presumably FDLR),resulting in an unknown number of
casualties. FARDC troops then went to Kilembie and looted the
town.


6. (SBU) Congolese Park Service (ICCN) rangers arrested a local
chief on May 6 for transporting charcoal made in Virunga National
Park. FARDC elements demanded his release and reportedly attacked
the ICCN base, inciting locals to turn on the rangers as well. The
ICCN called MONUC, which quickly responded and told the ICCN to
release the chief. A Goma-based diplomat who was in the area said
the charcoal was produced by FDLR rebels and called MONUC's order
for his release "unacceptable." He noted that the FARDC was
protecting the FDLR, probably in return for a share of the profits,
and such illegal enterprises must be shut down. A MONUC commander
responded that the call for the chief's release was simply to defuse
a potentially explosive situation, and an investigation would be
conducted into the incident.


7. (SBU) The area around Bunyakiri near the North Kivu/South Kivu
border remains a potential flash point, as the FDLR continues to
reinforce within the region and send threatening messages to local
villages. The FARDC also has a large presence in the area under the
command of ex-CNDP Colonel Makenga, but they have made themselves
unpopular by harassing and stealing from locals.

Integration
--------------


8. (SBU) The South Kivu Luberizi regroupment center is scheduled
for closure in the near future. The Kamombo regroupment center on
the Haut Plateau is scheduled to open next week, and MONUC sources
hope it will entice the FRF to end its hold-out and sign the
agreement committing the group to integrate or disarm. The
integration process for South Kivu is behind schedule, out of funds,
and waiting for a promised German contribution in order to build new
camps (Note: The proposed schedule for opening and closing
regroupment centers set June 25 as the final date, but it seems
unlikely that this will hold. End note).

GARVELINK